Sahara Force India witnessed a terrible outing at the United States Grand Prix as both its drivers -- Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg retired early into the race because of varied reasons at the Circuit of The Americas here.
While Perez suffered an accident in the first lap, Hulkenberg pulled out in the 16th lap because of a mechanical problem.
The pointless result means Sahara Force India’s chances of reducing the gap with McLaren are all but over with just two races to go in Brazil and season-ending Abu Dhabi.
Sahara Force India (123) is 24 points behind fifth-placed McLaren (147) in the championship standings and going by the string of unimpressive results in the last couple of race, the Silverstone-based outfit would need a Herculean effort to pip McLaren.
Starting 11th at the grid, Perez crashed into Adrian Sutil’s Sauber on the first lap -- an incident currently being investigated by the stewards to being the safety car into action.
Perez and Sutil, thus, retired as a result of their first-lap collision.
Hulkenberg, who started 13th on the grid, completed a miserable weekend for Sahara Force India when he withdrew after 16 laps because of engine problem.
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton won the race ahead of team-mate Nico Rosberg and extended his world championship lead to 24, while Daniel Ricciardo of Red Bull finished third.
